Boat propelling device



March 11, 1958 w. J. HUTCHINSON 2,826,164

BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 31, 1955:

Wayne J. Hutchinson INVENTOR.

March 11, 1958 W. J. HUTCHINSON BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31, 1955 Fig. .3

Wayne J; Hutchinson INVENTQR.

BY W

March 1953 w. J. HUTCHINSON 2,826,164

BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE Fil ed March 31, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Wayne J. Hutchinson v INVENTOR.

BY WW Em Unite This invention generally relates to a boat propelling device, and more specifically provides improved and novel construction in a device for propelling a boat through the water which is actuated by a person in the boat.

An object of the present invention is to provide a boat propelling device which includes an elongated and angulated pivotal member having a propelling plate pivotally mounted at the end thereof which is disposed in the water wherein means is provided for controlling the free swinging pivotal movement of the propelling plate, thereby selectively urging the boat in a forward or reverse direc- 1.1011.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a boat propelling device in conformance with the preceding object in which the boat propelling device may be foot operated or hand operated.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of manipulation, efliciency in operation, its adaptation for propelling a boat and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing costs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the boat pro pelling device of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view looking from the rear or left side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 1 showing the boat propelling device mounted on a boat and illustrating the foot operated construction thereof;

Figure 4 is a detailed fragmental side elevational view showing the stop means for the pivotal propelling plate and the control means therefor;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially along a longitudinal plane passing through the tubular actuating member showing the internal construction thereof;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the boat propelling device of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the connection between the right angular pivotal member and the attaching bracket;

Figure 8 is a plan sectional view showing the construction of the pivotal connection between the elongated right angular member and the attaching bracket; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the lever having the foot pedal thereon for actuation of the device.

' Referring now specifically to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the boat propelling device of the present invention which includes a triangular shaped mounting member 12 in the form of a bracket having a C-clamp 14 attached thereto together with clamp screw members 16 extending through one leg thereof and including clamp buttons 18 onthe inner end thereof and pivotal handles 20 on the rates Patent outer end thereof for securing the mounting bracket 12 to the stern board 22 of a boat generally designated by the numeral 24.

The bracket 12 is constructed of a pair of plate members 28 having a pivot pin 30 extending therethrough for selective engagement in one of a plurality of vertically spaced pivot bearings 32 mounted on a tubular sleeve 34. The tubular sleeve slidably and pivotally retains the vertical leg 36 of a right angular tubular member 38 having a horizontal leg 40 which extends into the interior of the boat 24 in substantially a horizontal position. The inner end of the horizontal portion 40 of the right angular member 38 is a hand grip 42, and a movable release ring 44 for a purpose described hereinafter.

The lower end of the vertical portion 36 of the right angular member 38 is provided with a propelling plate 46 pivotally mounted by pivot pin 48 adjacent the lower end of the portion 36 and projecting therebelow. The plate 46 is provided with an inwardly extending notch 50 in the upper edge thereof wherein the plate 46 may pivot over the lower end of the vertical portion 36. Projecting downwardly from the lower end of the vertical portion 36 is a movable stop pin 52 which is retractible and extensible into and out of the lower end of the tubular portion 36 for engaging one side or the other of the plate 46 adjacent the bottom of the notch 50, substantially as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings. Projecting forwardly and rearwardly from the vertical portion 36 is a bracket member 54 having stop members 56 on the undersurface thereof for engaging the plate 46 to limit the free pivotal movement thereof during operation.

As illustrated in Figure 5, a transverse bolt 58 is provided in the tubular member in spaced relation to the bracket 54 and a compression coil spring 60 is disposed between the transverse bolt 58 and the upper end of the telescopic pin 52 for normally urging the telescopic pin 52 outwardly of the vertical portion 36. The tubular portion 36 is also provided with a slot 62 and the pin 52 is provided with a projecting lug 64 slidable therein for guiding movement of the pin 52.

Attached to the upper end of the stop pin 52 is an elongated flexible rod 66 which has its other end attached to the movable release ring 44 whereby the pin 52 may be selectively retracted within the tubular vertical portion 36 for permitting pivotal movement of the plate 46 to the other side of the vertical portion 36 in a manner described hereinafter.

As illustrated in Figure 3, a bracket 70 is attached to the bottom of the boat 24, and the bracket 70 is provided with a foot pedal 72 having a flexible line 74 attached thereto at one end and attached to the right angular member 38 adjacent the hand grip 42 at the other end thereof. Also, a tension coil spring 76 is extended between an eye member 78 on the vertical portion 36 of the right angular member 38 and the bracket 12 for normally urging the lower portion or the vertical portion 36 towards the boat 24, thereby providing substantially an automatic return operation for the foot operated device.

In practical operation, the device may be actuated either by the operator grapsing the hand grip 42 and working the hand grip 42 in a pumping action, thereby pivoting the right angular member 38 about the pivot point 30, or the foot pedal 42 may be actuated for pivoting the horizontal portion downwardly wherein the spring 76 will return the vertical portion 36 towards the stern board 12, thereby returning the horizontal portion 42 to its normal position, thereby permitting the device to be foot operated.

In order for the propelling device to move the boat 24 forwardly in the water, the pivotal plate 46 is disposed in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 as well as in the manner illus r te F ur 3- .1 th positio wi ,be noted that -the pin 52 is forwardly of the plate 46 wherein the plate can pivot rearwardly substantially to a horizontal position as illustrated in Figure 3. As the horizontal portion 40 is moved upwardly and the-plate 46is moved towards the stern board 22 of the boat 24, the plate. 46 will-assume th e position illustrated in phantom line;whereinthe plate 46- maymove through the water.;with substantially little resistance. When the hand grip42t is moved downwardly, either by the pedal 72 or by the hand pressure of the operator, the plate 46;will assume.substantially ell-vertical position, thereby exerting a relatively large: forward force on theboat 24, thereby propelling the boat 24 forwardly through the water. When it isydesired to reverse the .direction, the ring 44 is pulled and; the hand grip-42 simultaneously moved downwardly, therebyzassuring that .the plate 46 will pivot forwardly soythat the pin-:52uwill be disposed behind the plate 46, substantiallyyas illustrated in Figure 4. When this conditionexists, the-downward -piv otal movement of the hand grip 42 will cause the plate 46 to pivot forwardly in substantially ahorizontalpositionto permitthe plate to move through the watergwith little resistance thereto. When the hand grip 42- is, then moved upwardly, the plate 46 will move to substant-iallva vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 4, wherein-"the upward pivotal movement of the hand gripz42 will cause the. plate 46 to move through thewater and exert a rearward force on the boat '24. It will be seen. that the foot pedal'72'will not be utilized for actuating the boat.24 in a reverse direction since the device willnot operate with the foot pedal 72 during reverse movement of theboat24. ,The right angular member 38 may be pivotally attached in-the swivel member 34 wherein the horizontal portion .dhmay bepivoted to any desired angular position to actas a tillerand to regulate the direction of force exerted by the propelling plate ,46, thereby providing a boat propelling devicev which may also assist in guiding the directional movement of: the boat 24. The several pivot bearings 32 permit adjustment of the sleeve 34 thereby adjusting the relative positions of the horizontal portion 40 to adapt the propclling device for persons ofvarious sizes and for various sizes of boats.

The stop members 56 generally limit the pivotal-movement of the plate.46 in'itshorizontal. direction, thereby assuring that the plate46 will return to a depending relation for engagement with the pin 52. Also, it will be seen t-hat.the device is relativelysimple in oonstrtu-ctionand provides a propelling :devicefor-small boats, such as fishing-boats, whereby alperson may easily propel the boat with a singlehandin a more efiicie'nt and easy manner.

Referring now specifically to the modified formof the invention specifically illustrated in Figures 6 -9 of the drawings,.it will beseeuthat-the numeral SO-genera-Hy designates the modified form'of the boat propelling device. Certain portionseof the modified form of the inventionare identical to that employed in the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-5 of: the drawings.

The right angular memberincludes ahorizontal -portion .82 and a .vertical portion 84 which are identical in construction to the right angular member 38 iniFig ur'e 3 except that the-vertical portion Misp'rovided with a-piurality of apertures-86 forreceiving atransversepin 83 having a cotter.key 9a0 inserted-in one end thereoffor s'electively attaching the right angular member in adjusted position. A supporting. braoketi92 isattached tothe boat 94 with clamp screws 96 which are identical tothe clamp screws 16 in Figure 1. Therear endofthc supporting bracket 92 is provided-with a .ver tical borefi dreceiving' a pivot belt 109. therethrough. :A connecting-member 102 is provided with .a;pair:of vertically spacedtlegs iii iongaging the bolt 1% forpivotal-movement about a vertical axis. The connecting member .102 is-also: providedtwith a pair of horizontallympdced vertical legs 1106 which bridge the verticalp-ortioni8'4 of the right angulaumen berjand receive the-transverse pin 88. therethrough,-whereby theright angular memberisattached to the bracket 92 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis formed by the bolt and a horizontal axis formed by the pin 88, thereby permitting the water engaging plate 46 to be operated in any angular direction in relation to the boat 94 for effectively steering and controlling movement of the boat.

At the upper inner corner of the bracket 92 is disposed a pair of pivot lugs 108 for supporting an elongated angulated bar member 110 on a pivot pin 112'extending between the lugs 108. The upper end of the bar 110 is connected to a flexible line 114 that is attached to the vertical leg 8410f theright angular member and the bottom end of the bar 110 is providedwith a transversely extending rod 118 which forms a foot pedal for operation of the device by a person reclining upon the seat 118 in the boat 94. Also, the horizontal portion 82 of the right angular member is provided with a hand grip 120 together with a ring122 for actuating the retractible pin 52 to permit movement'of the plates 46 for operation in identically the same manner as previously set forth in describing Figures l'5. .Also, the spring126 extends between the vertical portion 84 and the bracket-92 in the same manner as thespring 76=and for the same purposes.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of -'the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in-the-art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact constructionand operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

' What. isclaimed as new is as follows:

1. A boat propelling device comprising a mounting bracketadapted to be attached to a boat, a right angular member pivotally attached to said bracket, said right angularmember having a vertical leg disposed to the rear of the boat and .ahorizontal leg extending into the boat, a hand grip on the horizontal leg, a propelling plate pivotally mounted at the bottom of the vertical leg, and means :for permitting free pivotal movement of said plate in .a single selected direction and stopping the plate insubstantially a vertical direction for urging the boat forwardly in one direction when the horizontal leg ismoved in a vertical plane, said right angular member being tubular in construction, and means for actuating saidplate stopping means, said actuating means including an elongated flexible member disposed in said right angular member and terminating adjacent the hand grip, and a ring attached to the terminal end of the flexible member for moving the same longitudinally, said plate stopping means including a pin slidably mounted intherlower endof the tubular right angular member, said pin being attached to said flexible member for selective retraction into the ub l r-membe spri me n gi Said pi out fth tubularmernber, said pin engaging said plate below the point of pivotalconnection on selective sides thereof for stopping the plate in substantially vertical position and permitting free swinging movement in selected directions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vertical legv is provided with diametrically opposed projecting stop means for limiting the free pivotal swinging of the plate to substantially a horizontal position.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said horizontal leg is provided with a flexible line attached thereto adjacent the'hand. grip, a foot pedal pivotally attached to the bottom of the boat,.said line being attached to said pedal for movement of said right angular member in one direction, and spring means tor urging the right angular memberin the other direction thereby permitting foot operation-of the device.

:4. A 'boat propelling device comprising a support bracket adapted-to be mounted on a boat, a generally right angular member pivotally supported on said bracket, the horizontal legof said member extending into the boat, the

vertical legof said member extending downwardly ex teriorly of the boat into the water for swinging movement foot operated means supported from the boat and con in a vertical plane generally parallel to the path of movenected to the right angular member for providing foot ment of the boat upon vertical swinging movement of the propulsion of the boat.

horizontal leg, spring means urging the vertical leg to a forward position, :a propelling plate pivotally mounted on 5 References Cited m the file of thls P"Item the lower end of the vertical leg of said member, means UNITED STATES PATENTS for permitting tree pivotal movement of said plate in a 2,599,791 Swanson June 10 1952 single direction and stopping the plate in substantially a vertical plane for propelling the boat when the right angu- FOREIGN PATENTS lar member is oscillated in a generally vertical plane, and 10 239,964 Great Britain Sept. 24, 1925 

